Egypt tours & trips

The cool kid on the block since 2000 BC, the land of ancient pharaohs, towering pyramids, endless golden sands and the iconic Sphinx is calling.

You’ve got to see it to believe it in Egypt – the chaos of Cairo (seriously, this city never stops); the atmosphere of the bustling bazaars; the awesomeness of the Pyramids of Giza and the world’s most famous nose-less lady-lion (we’re talking about the iconic Sphinx). Only in Egypt can you sail into the sunset on a felucca cruise along the Nile, then jump on the back of a camel and ride into Luxor’s Valley of the Kings.

If you want to walk like an Egyptian, this is where you do it.

What people say

Traveling through Egypt with Geckos was amazing. The guide was very knowledgable and I felt 100% safe. Egypt is a must see!

Egypt tour reviews

Lachlan Mackay

Gecko Adventures is the perfect choice for a tour if you're looking for a culturally immersive and adventurous experience, to meet other friendly travellers, and without having to worry about any of the logistics during the tour.

Charmagne Smart

Listen to your tour guide for travel tips. How to speak, what to wear and what to eat. They provide valuable information in respect of other cultures. Had Such a wonderful experience and looking forward to our next trip.

Review submitted 21 Sep 2017

Egypt trip reviews

Our Egypt trips score an average of 4.91 out of 5
based on 89 reviews in the last year.

Egypt holiday information

Egypt Facts

Egypt Facts

Local culture of Egypt

Local culture of Egypt

Life in Egypt has been in a state of flux since the 2011 revolution. Many of the issues that motivated so many to take to the streets in protest continue to be points of contention, but Egyptians remain hopeful, relying on religion, family and humour to get them through like they have for thousands of years. A strong sense of community binds people across the country. Families and communities support each other and there is a prevailing sense that everyone is in it together. For all these reasons, most express great pride in being Egyptian, despite their nation’s recent turmoil.

As a largely Muslim country (about 90% of the population is Muslim while most of the remaining 10% identify as Coptic Christian), Islam permeates daily activities. Life revolves around the five daily prayers and everything is closed on Friday, the Muslim holy day. A wide array of cultural norms, including how people dress and interact with the opposite sex, are influenced by religion. Women are largely defined by their role as a mother and matron of the house, whereas men are expected to be the provider.

Many Egyptians consider their country the gateway between the West and the rest of the Arab world and take pride in their ability to mix tradition with modern influences. This mixing is most apparent in major cities, such as Cairo and Alexandria, where American fast food chains can be found next to traditional cafes, secular attitudes are more common, and pop music rings through city streets.

Food and Drink Egypt

Food and Drink Egypt

Egyptian cuisine borrows from African, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean traditions to create its own flavours. As meat is increasingly a luxury reserved for special occasions, dishes rely heavily on beans, lentils and vegetables. Cumin, coriander, cardamom, bay leaves, dill, parsley, ginger and cinnamon are common spices used to flavour dishes. Alexandria and other coastal cities take advantage of their access to fresh fish and seafood, particularly red lobster from the Red Sea. Grilled meat dishes like kofta and kebab are popular and easy to find in restaurants and street stalls. Desserts tend to be sweet and sticky, and are commonly smothered in honey or syrup and made with figs, nuts and dates.

As a predominantly Muslim country, drinking alcohol is relatively low-key, although there are a number of other refreshing options in its place. Juice stands are common on main streets offering freshly squeezed banana, guava, or mango juice. Karkadai is a chilled, crimson drink brewed from hibiscus leaves (served hot in the winter). And tea (or shai) is the beverage of choice for most Egyptians, which is sipped throughout the day and with meals.

Keep in mind that meals in Egypt are typically later than what some might be accustomed too. Lunch is usually at 2 pm and dinner is around 9 or 10 pm. Mezze (a selection of hot and cold starters such as hummus, picked cucumbers and carrots, stuffed vine leaves and tahini), salads and cheese are traditionally served at the start of a meal along with bread.

Must try foods in Egypt

Hamam mahshi: A north African delicacy, hamam – roasted pigeon stuffed with cracked wheat and rice – can be found on the menu of most traditional Egyptian restaurants. You may need a few to fill up though, as they don’t contain a lot of meat. And be careful of all the tiny bones.

Taamiya (falafel): Crunchy on the outside, moist on the inside, these deep-fried balls of spiced fava beans are a Middle Eastern vegetarian staple. Usually served in a pita with salad, pickles and sesame-based tahina - buy it at a street stall for a quick, cheap meal.

Koshary: Shops specializing in this popular ‘poor man’s dish’ can be found throughout Cairo. A hearty mix of rice, macaroni and lentils, chickpeas and fried onions, koshary is topped with a tomato-vinegar sauce.

Fuul: A popular breakfast choice, these flavorful, slow-cooked fava beans are also served in a pita and sold as a sandwich on the street.

Festivals and Events in Egypt

Festivals and Events in Egypt

Food and celebrations go hand in hand in Egypt. In fact, the word ‘eid’ is often used to mean both festival and feast. Some of the most important celebrations on the Egyptian calendar include:

Eid al-Fitr: After fasting for an entire month, Muslims celebrate the end of Ramadan with Eid al-Fitr, or ‘Feast of Breaking the Fast’. For three days, starting on the first day of the tenth month of the lunar calendar, people celebrate with feasts, family and festivals. Look for vendors selling kahk cookies (nut-filled cookies covered in powdered sugar) while taking in the festivities, a tasty treat synonymous with Eid for many locals.

Eid al-Adha: Arguably the most important holiday in Egypt, the ‘Feast of Sacrifice’ is not one for vegetarians and vegans. About 70 days after Eid al-Fitr, sheep and goats are slaughtered (often in the middle of the street) for a mighty feast.

Sham el-Nessim: Each year on March 21st, Egyptians celebrate the coming of spring by spending the day outdoors. Join the locals for this ancient holiday by packing a picnic and heading to a park or public garden.

Abu Simbel Sun Festival: As if the two temples dedicated to Ramses II and Queen Nefertari weren’t impressive enough, they were constructed in such a way that twice a year, the sun’s rays reach its innermost chambers and illuminate three stone gods that reside within, while leaving Ptah (god of the underworld) in the dark. And those days just happen to be Ramses’ birthday (October 21) and coronation (February 21). Coincidence? We think not.

Geography and Environment

Geography and Environment

Located in the north-east corner of Africa, Egypt shares its borders with Israel and the Palestinian Territories, Libya and Sudan, as well as the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Red Sea to the east. The two seas are connected by the man-made Suez Canal, which separates most of the country from the Sinai Peninsula. The remote triangle-shaped peninsula is largely characterised by limestone and desert, but also has vibrant coral reef along the Red Sea coastline. Hot, dry desert covers most of the country’s terrain, with the Western Desert occupying much of the west, and the Arabian (or Eastern) Desert stretching the length of the eastern coast. These two regions are dissected by the Nile River, which runs the length of the country, emptying into the Mediterranean Sea. The Nile Valley, a narrow fertile band extending from the river, is the country’s only fertile land and where 98% of the population lives.

Shopping guide to Egypt

Shopping guide to Egypt

Souks – or open-air bazaars – are both the best place to shop in Egypt and attractions in their own right. The biggest and most famous souk is the 500-year-old Khan El Khalili Bazaar in Cairo. Within the maze of narrow streets and laneways lie stalls selling jewellery, glass, copper, spices and artisan goods, along with more standard tourist fare. Quality can vary greatly so spend some time shopping around.

Like many markets around the world, bargaining is the norm, but Egyptians take it to another level. Expect to be offered tea (it can take that long) and for elaborate theatrics from the seller. While bazaars in Cairo tend to sell everything, visit Aswan’s bazaar for spices, incense and basket work, and Luxor for cheaply priced alabaster figurines and vases.

Items to look for at a souk:

Spices: You’ll often see spices piled high in bazaars. In addition to making a great photo for Instagram, they’re often a good buy as long as you keep a couple of things in mind. Always buy whole spices rather than ground to ensure freshness and skip the ‘saffron’ – it’s actually safflower and tastes like dust.​

Glassware: Hand-blown Muski glass, recognizable by its air bubbles, comes in brilliant shades of blue and green and purple and has been made in Egypt since Medieval times. Be careful with this purchase though as it’s extremely fragile.

Cartouche: A kind of nameplate written in hieroglyphics. Most gold or silver shops sell these and many can customize them by engraving your name.

Further Reading

Further Reading

Title

Author

The Yacoubian Building

Alaa Al Aswany

River God

Wilbur Smith

Palace Walk

Naguib Mahfouz

Egypt on the Brink

Tarek Osman

Daughters of Isis: Women of Ancient Egypt

Joyce Tyldesley

Transport in Egypt

Why hail a plain old cab when you could ride a camel or jump on a train? Half the fun of travel is experiencing a destination just like the locals – including how they get around. Wherever possible, Geckos Adventures uses local transport options and traditional modes of transport. This way we can reduce our environmental impact, support local operators and have a great time.

Transport

Camel: Travel Egypt’s hot and dusty sand dunes in style – on the hump of a camel.

Egypt travel FAQs

Travellers from most countries require a visa to visit Egypt that can be purchased upon arrival at the airport for USD 25. Visas are single-entry and valid for 30 days. Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months from your date of arrival in Egypt in order to receive your visa.

Contact your local Egyptian embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date information and to find out what is required if you need a multiple-entry visa, are staying longer than 30 days, or are arriving to Egypt via a land border.

Tipping is customary for pretty much all services in Egypt. A tip of 10-15% is customary at cafes and restaurants and loose change is an acceptable for food purchases from street vendors and markets. It’s also a good idea to tip local guides and drivers USD 2-4 per day. When in doubt, tip in Egypt.

Internet access is growing in Egypt, with internet cafes and Wi-Fi hotspots becoming increasingly common in large cities, especially Cairo, though access may be limited in smaller town and remote areas.

Drinking tap water isn’t recommended in Egypt. Remember to avoid drinks with ice and to peel fruit before eating it. Help the environment and try to avoid buying bottled water. Instead, fill a reusable water bottle with filtered water. Your leader or hotel can tell you where to find filtered water.

Credit cards are usually accepted by modern hotels, large retailers and tourist sites but are less commonly accepted by smaller vendors in remote areas. Always carry enough cash for smaller purchases in case credit cards are not an option.

ATMs are commonly found in larger cities, like Cairo and Alexandria, near shopping centres, tourist areas and 5-star hotels, but are far less common in small towns and rural areas. Make sure you have enough cash before leaving urban areas.

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Geckos are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of your trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

Discretion is advised for LGBTQI-travellers in Egypt. Though homosexuality is technically not a crime, gay men have been prosecuted in the past using debauchery and public morals laws and have received lengthy prison sentences as a result. There is a small, underground gay scene in Cairo and Alexandria, though tapping into it can be difficult as a foreigner. Be aware that signals are ambiguous in Egypt as men commonly hold hands, link arms and greet each other with a kiss on the cheek. As long as you use common sense, travel in Egypt should not be a problem.

For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting Equaldex or Smartraveller before you travel.